OSWEGO – Marion Chapman Spencer died March 27, 2024, at Samaritan Summit Village in Watertown, NY. She was born in Wellsville, NY on April 23, 1930, to the late Maurice and Nettie Burt Chapman, and spent her childhood on a dairy farm in Genesee, PA where she loved riding her pony.
After graduating from Wellsville High School she went on to graduate from Larson College, now Quinnipiac University, in Hamden, Connecticut. While in college she met her husband, Ralph Spencer, a student at Yale University. In addition to Connecticut, they lived in Corning-Painted Post, NY, Wayne, PA, and then Oswego, NY from 1970 until 2013 when they moved to Ives Hill Retirement Community in Watertown. She was active in the First United Methodist of Oswego, and then the United Methodist Church of Minetto. Marion was also deeply committed to Oswego’s Chapter BA of P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), as an active member for more than 50 years. Marion loved to travel, whether taking the train by herself as a young girl to visit family in Pittsburgh or exploring Europe by rail with Ralph, she was always up for new adventures. She loved family camping trips across the United States and Canada for weeks at a time with her husband, two children, their Boston Terrier, and sometimes her parents too. After Ralph’s retirement, they traveled internationally with friends and continued to explore state and national parks in their camper van.
Family and friends were the focus of Marion’s life. She had a genuine interest in everyone, but especially her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. It wasn’t unusual for her to host her extended family for holidays, with considerable kindness and concern for everyone.
Marion is survived by her son Robert L. (Jennifer) Spencer of Vernon, Vermont; daughter Janet C.S. (Robert) Quinn, Sackets Harbor, NY; four grandchildren: Erica (Corey) White of Shirley, MA; Jesse (Martha) Swann-Quinn of Meadville, PA; Danielle (Adam) Berry of Portsmouth, NH; Emily (Mark) Broderick of Portsmouth, NH; 8 great-grandchildren; nephew Kenneth (Patricia) Chapman, of Fishkill, NY and their children, and grandchildren. Marion was predeceased by her husband Ralph, her brother Robert Chapman, and his wife Joan. She will be laid to rest in Vernon, Vermont near Ralph’s family land and campground. Her family thanks the kind and caring staff where she resided the past ten years, The Lodge at Ives Hill and Samaritan Summit Village. Their care was tremendous and truly enriched her life. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM Saturday, April 6 2024, at the United Presbyterian Church of Sackets Harbor. “Calling hours” at the church will precede the service from 1:30 to 2:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the PEO Chapter BA Scholarship Fund, 15 Edwards Circle, Oswego, NY 13126 to support educational scholarships for women, or to the Northern New York Community Foundation’s Sackets Harbor Bell and Clock Tower Restoration Fund at PO Box 138, Sackets Harbor, NY 13685 to support the preservation of this historic community landmark. Arrangements are under the caring guidance of Nelson Funeral Home.
